Central Asian Married Tekke Woman's Chyrpi, Turkmenistan, 19th Century: Silk embroidery. Size: 49'' x 18'' at shoulders (124 x 46 cm). This captivating Chyrpi, hailing from Turkmenistan and dating back to the 19th century, offers a glimpse into the cultural and sartorial traditions of the Tekke, a semi-nomadic tribe in the region. Tekke women adorned themselves with capes known as Chirpi or Chyrpy, which were worn over their heads and shoulders, resembling a cloak, with the vestigial sleeves cascading down their backs. The design of these Chyrpis is typically characterized by abstracted floral motifs, most notably tulips, and is executed using a lacing stitch known as Kesdi, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of the region. What adds depth and significance to these garments is the cultural meaning attached to the colors. Young women often adorned themselves with dark blue or black Chyrpis, while married women preferred the color yellow, and widows chose white. This color symbolism reflected the life stage and status of the women who wore them, providing a nuanced and culturally rich context to these remarkable pieces of attire. Estimate: $2000-3000 Starting Bid: $1000. Lot 231 at Material Culture's sarajo | the yosi barzilai collection, Auction, Monday, October 23, 2023, 10am et, Public Exhibition: October 20-21-22, 11am-4pm, 11am-4pm. More Information: https://materialculture.com/sarajo/